Filed Under:Bon Iver

We could not be happier to share the wonderful news that Bon Iver has gone gold! The story goes a little something like this….2008 saw the release of Bon Iver’s debut album For Emma, Forever Ago. Cue lots of touring. Jump to the summer of 2011 and a brand new record by the name of Bon Iver, Bon Iver. Cue more touring, festivals, a Grammy or two, late night television performances – you get the gist. Arrive at January 2013, more specifically the week of January 13-19 when BOTH OF BON IVER’s full-length albums crossed the 500,000 threshold and went GOLD (as in RIAA-certified Gold records in the United States). Please join us in congratulating Justin Vernon and the Bon Iver family on this huge accomplishment!

A few weeks ago we shared Bon Iver’s new “Beth/Rest” video. At first glance, it’s a strange sight, following people made of light through their home that looks a great deal like an Ewok village. Today, we’re provided a special, behind-the-scenes look at the video and how it all came together. Justin Vernon tells us where his treatment originated and then takes us into the woods behind April Base for the set build. Many people had a hand in creating the video and we can now find out just how they made it happen. Watch above!

Bon Iver are currently on tour. You will find the full schedule below.

Justin Vernon has teamed up with his hometown friend and master luthier Gordy Bischoff to develop “The 1608″ – a custom baritone guitar made with original white oak wood from Bushmills Irish Whiskey barrels. It’s all for Bushmills’ Since Way Back program, which pairs artists with other artisans and businesses to develop unique pieces that reflect each of their passions. Justin and Gordy tell you more about this special endeavor in the video above.

“The goal is to put art back on the map in Eau Claire. Far too many artists from this area have had to leave because what we want to do with our lives just isn’t possible here. That’s what the Confluence Project is: to build a center that can be a nucleus for art here in Eau Claire.” – Justin Vernon

Starting today until November 22, “The 1608″ will be auctioned off via ebay. Proceeds will benefit The Confluence Project, which intends to construct a new Community Arts Center at the confluence of Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers in Eau Claire, WI. Bid on “The 1608″ guitar.

Bon Iver’s “Beth/Rest” is paired with an oddly stunning visual. Directed by both Dan Huiting and Justin Vernon, the video stars band member Mike Noyce in a dream-like world. In describing his treatment, Justin said, “It’s kind of about two people who are truly meant for each other and what happens to their essence. How they connect is some other thing that we don’t know how to really talk about.” The video was filmed in the Wisconsin woods surrounding April Base. Watch above or at Huffington Post.

In addition to the video, Bon Iver’s Beth/Rest 12″ is out today and available at SC Distribution! The A-side features the studio version of “Beth/Rest” while the B-side is a full-band recording of the same song from an August 2011 session at Rare Book Room. Beth/Rest will be released on November 12 in the UK.

If you missed Austin City Limits’ most recent episode featuring Bon Iver, you’re in luck! You can still stream the entire show for a limited time. Watch the ten-song performance above and the check out the setlist below!